DHCP is used by hosts to get initial configuration information, which includes parameters such as IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, upon boot up. Since each host needs an IP address to communicate in an IP network, DHCP eases the administrative burden of manually configuring each host with an IP address.
Network Address Translation, or NAT, enables computers on private networks to access resources on the Internet or other public network. NAT is an IETF standard that enables a LAN to use one set of IP addresses for internal traffic, typically private address space as defined in RFC 1918, and another set of addresses for external traffic, typically publicly registered IP address space. The TSHOOT certification exam objectives that are covered in this chapter are:
- Troubleshoot a DHCP client and server solution
- Troubleshoot NAT
While DHCP and NAT are core CCNA requirements, the current TSHOOT exam requires that you demonstrate not only a basic understanding of these mechanisms but also that you understand how to troubleshoot them. This chapter will be divided into the following sections: